Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1887-09-30
STATE PROHIBITION COEFERENCE--A DE-
TERMINED LOOKING BODY.


STAUNToN, VA, Sept. 23.-ThC
State Prohibition Conference met
here to-day. One hundred and
forty delegates, about one-fOurth
cOlOred, were present, representing
twenty-nine counties and nine cities
Hon. Il. l.. Taylor. Of Loudoun, a
member OF the National PrOhibi
ton Executive Committee. called
the conference to order, and in his
opening address declared that the
third party was IN Virginia to stay.
Hon. w. j. Shellburne, OF Mont
gomery, was elected temporary and
permanent chairman ; II. III. Bell,
of Augusta, and j. A. Smith, OF
NOttaway, secretaries. Short ad.
dresses were delivered by j. Lloyd
Thomas, State organizer, aud Rev.
Mr.. Young (cOlored) and others
The delegations embrace hitherto
prominent leaders of both political
parties, and the conference is a de-
termlned and intelligent looking
body of men. The utmost harmo.
ny and enthusiasm prevailed.
The evening session Of the con.
ference was principally occupied IN
discussing the platform. Objection
was made to the introduction of
any issue save prohibition, but by
an overwhelming majority was
overrnled, and the platform de.
mands the prohibition OF the manu-.
facturc and sale Of alcoholic bever.
ages by State and national laws.
and that such laws be yitaliZed by
a party based upon prohibition
principles and uncompromisingly
committed to their enforcement. 1t
declares in favor of disfranchisin g
men who buy or sell votes and of
restricting immigration declares
for arbitration and the establish
ment OF State labor bureau to
guard the safety of miners and
manufacturing employees favOrs
giving mechanics first liens against
further granting public lands ex-
cept to settlers; faYors the proven.
ton of discrimination against farm
ers, and the prohibition OF discrim-
inatioD in railroad rates; favOrs
free schools and the Blair bill and
like measures. On the State debt
1t declares awe believe the Dem
ocratic and Republican parties have
used the State debt as distracting
issue IN State politics, and this
shifting policy has delayed its set
Element. We believe a final settle.
ment, mutually satisfactory to the
State and the creditors, can be
made, and all legislation upon this
matter should be directed to that
end The last plank provides:
ave believe existing bossism and
corruption in political methods,
partisan administration of State
affairs, and iniquItous interference
in legislation by corporation and
liquor lobbies have all united to
defeat the best interests of the
Commonwealth. We therefore call
upon all good citizens to Join in an
administration of public affairs for
the good OF the State, rather than
the benefit of party
The plan OF organization pro
vides for a central committee of one
hundred and an executive commit
tee of one from each congressional
district. An executive committee
was elected, as follows; j. I. Rus
sell, Accomac T. VI. Ramsay, Nor
folk j. B. Crenshaw, Richmond
j. \. Smith, Nottaway; j. VI. Pace,
Dauvllle; T. T. Fishburne, Roam
oke; VI. VI. Sibert, Rockingham
II. Vi. Foltz, Alexandria DR.. c.
Billiard, Pulaski; j. w. Newton,
Stanton; a. II. Fultz, at large.
After discussing measures to
raise money, and talking over the
proposed establishment Of a state
organ. the conference adjourned
sine die.